First-year Rebecca Young, describing Whitman College as “hippie-chic,” defines fashion in terms of schools across the country: “In comparison to California schools, Whitman is grungier and less ‘Nordstrom.’ In comparison to mid-west schools, Whitman is shockingly similar. I don’t know if that’s a good thing! In comparison to East Coast schools, we are less bundled up, have less pea coats, less scarves, less tall boots, and less tall clothing.”

Is it true? Is Whitman less mainstream than California, as “shockingly similar” to Midwestern schools, and less sophisticated than the East Coast? Resident fashion experts on campuses around the country are happy to share their take on local fashion.

Just because Whitman is geographically closest to the big city of Seattle, the “big city” trends may not be seen on this side of the mountains. First-year Danielle Winslow at Seattle University can detect the subtle and not-so-subtle influences of its climate, political attitude and shopping district on campus.  

“This is Seattle,” said Winslow. “It’s all about looking cute while staying out of the rain. Skirts and jeans are big, and I sometimes count how many Uggs are in just one class…12 out of 18 girls one time!”

The environmental vibes certainly affect some fashion choices, seeing as Seattle University is “about being eco-friendly.”

 “We have ‘simple shoes’ which are made out of recycled materials. Good finds at Value Village are popular, but of course you have the Nordstrom shoppers. We are in the city, after all,” said Winslow.

Another nearby metropolis, Portland, OR, echoes the more laid-back, West-coast vibe. First-year Lyndy Davis, student at University of Portland, explained the three main categories of attire: “the athletes that wear their ‘Nike’ clothes for the university, the comfy jeans and sweats people, and the trendy skirt-plaid-Uggs-long shirt attire.”  

Styles further down the coast are similarly described as “laid-back.”  

First-year Katie Henry at Cal Poly explained that “during the day, sweats and t-shirts are mostly worn. Even if people get fancy when they go out, no one would ever wear, like, heels and a fancy dress out.”

First-year Maddie Borish of University of Southern California added that “being in LA gives people either a very laid back beachy style or a very high fashion one.”  

“Many people wear flowy shirts and a lot of people wear flat boots. When going out, all the girls usually go with skanky little skirts, tank tops, and heels,” said Borish.

Angela McInarnay of University of Hawaii at Manoa explained that “Hawaii’s fashion is super “cruise” or laid back compared to the mainland. The norm here is slippers or ‘flip-flops’ and something simple. When you’re not in your bathing suit, which is rare, you’re wearing your summer clothes.”

“Most girls on campus wear really cute sundresses or shorts and tank tops. There are guys who are decked out in Hollist, surfer boys wearing surf shorts and t-shirts, and most boys wear nice kicks complimenting a nice t-shirt” said McInarnay.

Ugg boots may never cross the fashion radar of trendy Hawaiian girls, however.  

“It’s funny to see girls wear Uggs here,” added McInarnay. “I mean don’t get me wrong, they are super cute, but for the cold weather! Their feet have got to be on fire in there! Wearing those oven shoes all day…eek.”  

Journeying east towards Central United States would likely produce more similarities with Whitman winter weather attire. First-year April Nilsen at Washington State University in Pullman, WA, explained campus fashion as “comfortable and very sports-based.”  

Sophisticated fashion, while uncommon for undergraduates, is an obvious indicator of age. The more professional graduate students “carry briefcases” and wear “nice sports jackets with skirts,” said Nilsen.

Student at College of Wooster, in Wooster, OH, Erin Bauer explained “the norm” of trends, including “Uggs or Sperrys, skinny jeans or leggings, J. Crew sweaters, long shirts, and Northface or Patagonia jackets.”  

Another Ohio student, Meghan Swisher, attends Denison University, which she describes as “one of the ‘J. Crew U’ colleges in Ohio, meaning everyone definitely tries to be more fashionable. You better be prepared to deal with weird looks from the rich sorority girls passing you on A-quad if you wear something ‘original.'”

Confirming the nationwide Ugg trend, Swisher said that, lately, “for girls, tall leather boots have become more popular, along with plaid shirts, hood-less sweatshirts, and all-around duller colors.”

East Coast fashion, described by New York University first-year Payton Barronian as “dramatic and expensive,” seems “typically more fashionable that other schools, and obviously location has a lot do with that. There is a lot of pressure here to look your best. One huge difference that I’ve noticed is how dressy NYU fashion is. People never wear jeans or sweatshirts. Guys always wear sweaters and collared shirts and dressy shoes. Girls are always in tights and boots and skirts.”

A much less “laid-back environment” prevails on the NYU campus.  

“NYU students usually wear a lot of dark and natural, earthy colors,” said Barronian. “Because it’s winter everyone wears duffle or pea coats as well as knit scarves and slouchy beanies. Guys and girls both wear tight, skinny pants that are usually black or a dark color. When girls aren’t wearing jeans, which is most of the time, they wear tights with skirts or dresses and boots. Every single NYU female owns a pair of boots.”  

“At NYU, you rarely see sneakers (usually boots for girls and suede or leather dress shoes for guys), blue jeans, sweatshirts and sweats, or baseball caps,” said Barronian.  

Regardless of fashion trends around the country, Whitman students can be confident that ‘whatever goes’ on campus.

First-year Madeline Schutt summed up Whittie fashion flexibility, confident that “I can pretty much wear whatever I want and no one will think ‘Why is she wearing that?'”